Another year another SX series ... or so we thought, Josh Grant surprised a lot of people with not only his running a strong 3rd in the opening laps of the main event, but to take advantage of a Reed/Stewart mishap and then with just two laps to go chew up a tough block, lose his brakes and almost tie up the wheel ...but to withstand the pressure of it being his first SX class main event and STILL show poise to win the whole enchilada - props go out to you Josh Grant, you earned it bigtime!
Here are some photos of our first and very exciting season opener - Anaheim1
The Anaheim A - we all know it and we all look forward to seeing it every year - this structure is synonymous with SX.
We see you Jason ... Everyone had their eyes on perennial bad boy Jason "breakin the law" Lawrence, Jason showed speed in practice and with a top 5 start and subsequent 5th place finish - the #1 contendor is going to have to push it up a notch if he wants to regain that title.
This is the tunnel that every aspiring racer wants to go through - this is the jumping off point to many a career and there is a certain mystique to it for me as a photographer in this industry - its just concrete but if these walls could talk, they would tell many stories, stories of first race jitters, stories of elation as a succesful racer heads back into the pits after he wins his rookie race - Josh Grant knows what im talking about - Jeremy Mcgrath, Rick Johnson, Ricky Carmichael, Bayle, Hannah and many many more all have walked this famed tunnel
James Stewart looked "ok" in practice, I saw him fall once in a flat turn and he just seemed a little bit off from his normal self - Reed passing him early in the moto seemed to light a fire under him though as he didn't waste much time regaining the lead only to have them both go down 6 laps in - was it bike trouble or was it just a Mentally off James Stewart - time will tell.
The Monster podium - these are the first steps to a great career for a few lucky racers.
Ominous skies loomed as we moved from practice into the night qualifying - A little rain threatened to make this a mudder but the rains left and the track tacked up making for premium racing conditions
Aussie Daniel Reardon grabbed the holeshot in the Lites main event but it was Jake Weimer, Ryan Morais and Ryan Dungey who would stand atop the podium when the dust settled.
Dungey navigating the sand section before making the left on to mechanics row.
Little did Jake Weimer know during practice that just a few hours later he would be leading the series in points - WTG Jake, well done!
With Morais in tow, the pro circuit guys would slam home a 1-2 punch - Mitch must be very proud!
Ryan finishing up practice as the rain starts to sprinkle down .. it looked like it might get ugly for a minute.
Clouds would roll over and deposit some light rain, then it would clear and the sun would shine through - it was touch and go for awhile but all in all a great start to the season.
Lites class pack heads through the first turn and into the whoops section, at the end of which claimed another fateful injury for poor Broc Hepler (practice injury)
Obligatory 30 sec board girl photo
As the racing action was getting started inside, a spectacular sunset was happening outside - the horizon glow was offset by the warm rim lighting of Anaheim stadium.
Dungey singles into the whoops
Trophies up!
Before opening ceremonies the seats were pretty empty but despite the country being in a bad recession roughly 45,000 made the trip out to watch the season opener.
Supercross class gets underway and James Stewart grabbed the holeshot much to no-ones surprise, but it wasn't long before Chad Reed showed him a wheel and made his statement that he wasn't gonna lie down for the talented stewart - good battles between these two are whats in store for us if A1 is any indicator.
The crowd files in as the racers and their crews make last second preperations in the pits
As Chad checks the time, Mike Alessi heads into the whoops - Chad, you late for something?
Whatchoo lookin at Willis?
Josh Grant on the gas and on his way to his rookie debut win!
Tripling and puling tear offs - No problemo
Kenny Bartram and his FMX team were on hand to entertain the masses during intermission.
Moments before the crash - Coming into phoenix we will most likely see a VERY aggressive James Stewart - one to watch.
Andrew Short rode a solid and smart race to get 2nd place - if he had pushed a little harder and put more pressure on Josh Grant, Shorty might have just won his first Anaheim!
With 2 laps to go, Grant clips a tough block trying to avoid traffic and it gets bound in his wheel - with brakes fading fast and the heat building and starting to lock up the wheel Josh pushed his Yamaha to the limits and crossed the line first - Elation
Good times
Good Times
Good Times
, great report in HD
